Below are some helpful resources that can help find the college or university that is the best fit for you!

• Discover College Planning Calendar – If you’re a senior in high school or their parent, use this College Planning Calendar to stay on track as you navigate each step of the process. From applications to financial aid to making your final college choice, we have you covered.
• 19 Common Admission Essay Mistakes
• Typical Questions that Help You Choose a College
• Essay Writing Tips for improving college admissions
• Ready. Set. Grad – Ready Set Grad is a program for Washington state students in grades 6-12 to have access to the tools, information, and support they need to graduate high school and make college accessible and affordable.
• My Next Move – Not sure what career might interest you? Check out this fun and educational website where you can search for jobs and careers,  see average pay rates for those jobs, and even find out what schooling or training might be required.
• College Search – An online tool provided by College Board that lets students search for colleges with the characteristics they’re looking for.
• Colleges That Change Lives – CTCL is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and support of a student-centered college search process.
• Fair Test – Find a comprehensive list of colleges and university that are test score optional (students are not required to submit standardized test scores with their admissions application)
• Princeton Review – Find the right school, learn about paying for it, and more.
• University Headquarters – Resource for finding top rated colleges, scholarships, potential salaries and helping you find the right career.

CLEP® exams help students earn college credit for what they already know for a fraction of the cost of a college course.
For the 2018-19 school year, more than 140 high schools offered CLEP to their students, helping them earn more than 52,000 credits and saving them roughly $17 million in college tuition.
Find out more about CLEP exams on the CollegeBoard CLEP webpage.

WASHINGTON CAREER BRIDGE
A great resource for exploring what opportunities might be best for you. Get help in finding the education and training you need to get the job you want! Visit http://www.careerbridge.wa.gov/ for more information. Access the “Where Are You Going?” booklet for some helpful information.

APPRENTICESHIPS/INTERNSHIPS
A way for you to earn money while learning an important skill in fields like manufacturing, construction, public administration, retail trade, and transportation industries. Visit the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries to find apprenticeships available in Washington.

IMPORTANT resources for future apprentices!  Visit the ResumeBuilder.com Apprenticeship Resources by State Page to learn all about how to apply to your apprenticeship program!

ON THE JOB TRAINING
Learn a skill from someone currently working in that position. Learn more about On The Job Training opportunities at the Washington Department of Labor & Industries website.

CAREER AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS
Offer a variety of programs in fields such as automotive, mechanics, aircraft mechanics, healthcare, business, cosmetology, and truck driving. Check out the Washington State OSPI to find out about local schools and what programs they offer.
You should carefully check out the schools by asking several questions:

• Is the school accredited by the numerous accrediting bodies in the United States?
• Have you toured the school?
• What were your impressions?
• Are the school’s courses current and appropriate for you?
• How long will the training take?
• What is the total cost of the program including tuition, fees, supplies, and books?

GAP YEAR
You can travel to another country to learn a foreign language, teach English, volunteer, or get a job. Or you can explore a work area of interest while saving money for college. The gap year is meant to be filled with new and exciting life experiences, not sitting on the couch and watching TV! It provides many students with the opportunity to mature financially, socially and academically and find a clearer idea of what they want to do with their lives. Consider first gaining acceptance to a college or university and then asking for a deferral. Visit the Gap Year Association to get ideas of what to do during your gap year.

VOLUNTEER
A great way to learn more about yourself, learn new skills, make connections, and give back. You can volunteer locally, or get involved in a national or international program that gives you a chance to travel, such as

• AmeriCorp
• City Year
• Volunteer.gov

WORK
The responsibility of holding down a full-time job is a good way to transition into adulthood. The opportunity to build a career off an entry-level job is there, if you’re willing to work for it and stick it out. Job Corps, administered by the US Department of Labor, is a no-cost education and vocational training program designed for individuals who wish to learn a marketable trade. Visit www.jobcorps.gov to learn more.

MORE INFORMATION

• Occupational Outlook Handbook – A national resource with information on employment outlook, salary and wages, as well as the education needed for each job
• WA State Employment Data – Labor market data by county plus links to job searches
• O*Net Online – an online occupation search